Japan's historical Indian Ocean deployment used Kongō-class ships rather than Yamato-class battleships. A night encounter with Warspite could damage the Kongōs even if Warspite also suffered heavily. Damage that reduced their speed could let the four older R-class battleships join the action. Adding a surviving Prince of Wales and Repulse would make the counterfactual British battle line stronger still. The comparison depends on the ships Japan deployed south and whether its faster units accepted the engagement.
Notable Point · 2:38:48-2:39:53
Warspite and the Kongōs in a reinforced Eastern Fleet
A night action against Warspite could slow Japanese Kongō-class ships enough for older British battleships to join.